ACA Enrollment at its Highest on 12th Anniversary

The HHS points to expanded overage and lower healthcare costs in the first year of the Biden Administration.

On the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a new report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) details record-setting enrollment under the Biden administration.

Overall, 14.5 million people signed up nationwide for healthcare coverage—a 21% increase from the previous year—while nearly six million new customers joined as part of the special enrollment period and the open enrollment period during the first full year of the Biden administration, according to the report.

Additionally, the HHS highlighted that 2.8 million more consumers are receiving tax credits to assist with coverage premium costs in 2022 compared to 2021, as a result of President Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP).

"On the 12th Anniversary of the ACA, it is clear that the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan are working to expand access to healthcare coverage and have been critical to advancing health equity," CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in a statement.

"The Biden-Harris administration's ARP subsidies were successful and ensured that more marketplace consumers than ever had access to quality, affordable healthcare, and the peace of mind that comes with having healthcare coverage that best fits their needs."

The ARP has helped lower healthcare costs for many, according to the HHS report, with four in five people able to find a plan for $10 or less per month. After the ACA subsidies during the open enrollment period, 28% of enrollees can select coverage for $10 or less. Absent the ARP, the average monthly premium after tax credits would have been $59 per month higher.

Following the implementation of the ARP and the 2021 special enrollment period, the uninsured rate reportedly fell to 8.9% for the third quarter, down from 10.3% for the last quarter of 2020.

Meanwhile, 18.7 million adults are now covered across 39 states through Medicaid expansion, according to the report.

"President Biden promised to build on the success of the Affordable Care Act, and just one year into his administration, we have already broken records with all-time high enrollment numbers and all-time low prices," said HHS secretary Xavier Becerra. "We will continue working to deliver on that promise until we make healthcare a right for all."